Why Do So Many Fans Blame Kohl for Larry Harris' Failure?

[old skool]

I don't want to give Kohl a pass. He is responsible for his actions. The team has not performed well under his ownership. He is ultimately responsible.

But Harris seems to be walking away from a train wreck and most fans don't seem to lay much of the responsibility on him. All Harris ever had to do to make any trade or free agent signing that he wanted, was to convince his superiors of the wisdom of the move.

This is a basic requirement for any success at any level.

Only the incompetent and the insecure expect unqualified approval without justification. Those people often fail to accept responsibility for their actions, blaming their superiors for their inability to gain approval.

The competent and secure individuals realize that they are in the best position to explain the wisdom of the course of action they propose. They accept responsibility for their actions. If they fail to convince someone, they realize it is because they did not do a good enough job explaining the benefits of their proposal.

The idea that Kohl - for some reason - wants to take the wrong course of action, is ludicrous.

It is easy to throw up one's hands in frustration, walk away, and blame someone else. That is not what winners, or achievers, or leaders do. That is just as unproductive as a meddling owner.

Some people seem to have a short-attention span solution when it comes to the Bucks. Last year the 60-second solution was to replace Stotts. This year the 60-second solution is to replace Kohl.

My original contention is that Harris seems to be leaving without much if any blame for a dismal record and that many fans seem to be giving him a pass because it is apparently difficult to work for Kohl. In the real world, that is no excuse.

oLd sKool

[paulpressey25]

Some people seem to have a short-attention span solution when it comes to the Bucks.

And guess who the worst culprit is of that disease? Herb Kohl.

Kohl isn't the "problem de jour" among Bucks fans. What is going on here is that tons of fans are finally coming to the realization that after 23 years of a CEO with no long-term vision but a series of "One Year Plans" every season, Kohl is the primary problem.

How many decades will we continue to blame the coaches and GM's of this team for its failure to win more than 41 games, with most seasons averaging 30-wins?

Either Herb is meddling or Herb is completely incompetent in being able to make a good hire in 23 years. It is one or the other.

And I'd say it is actually both.

[midranger]

PP, second round picks are ALWAYS the most important decision that an NBA franchise can make.

[th87]

Now Harris is blamed for not being persuasive enough? This is getting comical. What if Kohl had already decided that Ron Walter's opinion is weighted more? What if Kohl decides that re-couping money with mediocre playoff runs is more desirable than engaging in a rebuilding plan? Harris is completely out of luck then.

Harris walks away from the train wreck with his dignity intact because:

1. We don't know if he made the bad moves.
2. We do know that he wanted to make good moves but Kohl wouldn't let him.
3. He's highly regarded in NBA circles.
4. Kohl's presided over a disaster for two decades.

Those things do it for me.